Before getting to this week’s  new books we’d like to take a minute to let you know that next week we’ll be kicking off some new segments on the Heroes Blog.  Instead of our usual Spotlight on New Releases column, we’ll be featuring a weekly Staff Picks column where different Heroes staffers offer insight into what new books they’re individually excited about.  Also, expect more reviews, interviews and guest columnists over the next several months.  As always, the Heroes Blog will remain the first place to receive any updates about HeroesCon and any of our store events like the  Heroes Pop Swap, the Charlotte Mini Con and more.  If you have any thoughts or suggestions about what you’d like to see on the Heroes Blog, leave a comment below or drop an email to chief bloggers Rico or Seth.  Thanks for reading!

1) Groo the Wanderer Artist Edition HC

I’ve written at length about the glory that has been the previous Artist Editions.  This week you can enjoy full sized Groo pages just as the great Sergio Aragones crafted them.  These are always worth a look, and any of the earlier editions are worthy of finding a home in your library.  They offer a new way of enjoying some of comics’ classic stories, and it’s hard not to be impressed by the large scale of these books.

2) National Comics: Eternity #1

Tired of continuity-thick comics and crossovers?  DC offers up an alternative to those with this new series.  These are stand alone comics designed to be accessible to readers of any kind.  This issue by Jeff Lemire and Cully Hamner features a new take on Kid Eternity, with the character this time around splitting time between heroics and a job as a medical examiner.  It’s worth a look just because of the talented creators involved with this issue.

3) Underwater Welder GN

Jeff Lemire is undoubtedly a prolific creator.  Somewhere between writing Animal Man, Frankenstein, Justice League Dark and writing and illustrating Sweet Tooth, Lemire found time to write and illustrate a brand new graphic novel.  This one features some themes familiar to Lemire fans, namely loss, family and isolation.  There are some truly impressive pages in this book, and Lemire seems to have grown even more confident and capable in his visual art.  Heroes Blog contributer Heather got a chance to read an advanced copy, and you can check out her review of it right HERE.

4) Secret Avengers #29

Rick Remender is thankfully still on board this book, but joining him for this one is Matteo Scalera.  Some of you who attended this year’s HeroesCon might remember his excellent Loki piece created for the art auction.  Scalera’s a good fit to kick off this new story that features the covert Avengers facing off against a brand new Masters of Evil.  All this and yet another fine cover by Art Adams!

5) DC Super Pets Galore!

There are six different new Super Pets books hitting the shelves this week, and all of them are perfect for your young reader.  Some of the titles include Cat Crime Club, Night of the Scaredy Crows and Swamp Thing vs. Zombie Pets.  Also, it’s worth mentioning that all of these are illustrated by Art Baltazar, who many of you will remember as the artist of Tiny Titans and the new Superman Family Adventures.  It’s a great week to pick up some new comics for your kids!

> Bonus Picks of the Week: X-treme X-men #1, Daredevil by Mark Waid vol. 1 TP, Manhattan Projects #5, Hit Girl #2, Star Wars: Blood Ties: Boba Fett is Dead #4, Before Watchmen: Comedian #2, Batula HC, Avengers #28, Wolverine and the X-men #14 and Flannery O’Conner Cartoons HC.

Batman: Incorporated #3 was supposed to be released this week, but out of respect for the victims and families of the recent Colorado tragedy, DC has pushed the release date back one month to August 22.  We’ll have the books available for you then.